The tournament evolved into an event of national significance as legendary golfers like Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and Byron Nelson won during the era.
In the late 20th and early 21st century, PGA Tour pros from the state like Paul Harney, Dana Quigley, and Geoffrey Sisk won the event several times each.
Donald Ross won the first tournament, held at Vesper Country Club, defeating amateur Arthur G. Lockwood by a shot.
[10] At the 1912 event, held at Oakley Country Club in Watertown, Massachusetts, Alex was the wire-to-wire leader and was victorious for the sixth time.
[12][13] Star players from outside Massachusetts like Jim Barnes and Walter Hagen decided to play.
The Boston Globe noted that the 1927 tournament had "an entry list of National scope" including Walter Hagen, Johnny Farrell, and Joe Turnesa.
[22] The 1931 Massachusetts Open, held at Worcester Country Club, included a sizable field of 85 players.
According to The Journal, the tournament "never... contained so many nationally prominent competitors" including former champions Guilford, Farrell, and Cox.
In addition, the field included star amateur Francis Ouimet who was playing in the tournament for the first time in 16 years.
[30] McSpaden would go on to win with an even-par total, defeating home pro Gene Anderson by three strokes.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Paul Harney, a PGA Tour pro from Massachusetts, had much success winning the event five times.
Around the turn of the century, another PGA Tour pro from Massachusetts, Geoffrey Sisk, also had repeated success, becoming the first six-time winner since Alex Ross during the inaugural years of the event.
Bruce Douglass Source:[86] 1 Denotes playoff win 2 Now called Cape Cod Country Club